Four late goals, including three inside four minutes, helped Bayern Munich thrash Benfica in their latest group game of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League season. In the earlier game, Gerard Pique scored the only goal as Barcelona beat Dynamo Kyiv.
Robert Lewandowski thought he had given Bayern the lead in the 43rd minute after he turned in a cross from Kingsley Coman. However, the goal was pulled back due to a handball by the Frenchman in the build-up. Seven minutes past the interval, Bayern again had the ball in the net; this time, it was Thomas Muller who had poked it home from close range. However, Coman – playing a huge role in the build-up again – was called offside, and the goal chalked off, subsequently.
The Bavarians eventually broke the deadlock thanks to a moment of magic from the resurgent Leroy Sane, whose sensational free-kick beat Odysseas Vlachodimos from distance. The German later assisted Lewandowski for his customary goal, before grabbing a second – but only after Benfica winger, Everton, had put one past his goalkeeper.
In the earlier kick-off, Barcelona beat Dynamo Kyiv to record their first win of the new UEFA Champions League campaign. The Blaugrana came into the match with two back-to-back defeats against Bayern and Benfica and were made to sweat for the three points by Dynamo.
Gerard Pique scored the only goal of the game in the 36th minute. After Dynamo failed to clear their lines following a corner, Barcelona recycled the ball back to Jordi Alba, who delivered a cross to the back post from the left half-space. Pique, who had made a run at the far post, got the telling connection and put his side in front.
Despite their win, the Blaugrana remain a point behind Benfica in the group table, who themselves are five behind Bayern Munich.
